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LIVING & TRAVEL

6/25-7/1: The Great American Road Trip

Coast to coast, you can take a cup of water from the Atlantic and pour it into the Pacific. But what to do in between? Ethan Zuckerman, Tripod's Director of Research and Development, is making the grand trip next month, and he wants your suggestions. He will do his best to follow your advice and send in dispatches along the way, updating you on his progress. Where should he stop (or detour) and why?

Here's the itinerary:

• West across NY on I-90 with brief detours to Ithaca and Cooperstown, NY.
• Back on I-90 through Erie, NY; Cleveland, OH; Toledo, OH; South Bend and onto Chicago, IL.
• I-90 to Madison, WI, I-94 to Minneapolis, MN.
• I-35 South to I-90 to Sioux Falls.
• I-90 through South Dakota, Wyoming, over to 16 into Yellowstone.

• 89 North to Bozeman, MT; 90 through Butte, MT; Missoula, MT; Coeur d'Alene, ID; Spokane, WA.
• Washington 20 through northern Washington to Seattle.
• Route 5 North to Vancouver, Canada 1 to Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg.
• Route 71/53 to Duluth, MN, 2 through northern Michigan.
• Route 75 South to Flint, MI. 402 to Niagara Falls, I-90 back home.

By the way, if you'd like to meet up with Ethan on the road (and get a free lunch on Tripod) email [email protected].

meganc: I took a similar trip several years ago (from college in Virginia to my home in Seattle). The one "detour" we made that I absolutely would not miss was a drive through the Badlands of South Dakota. They are absolutely gorgous...kind of a more accessible Grand Canyon. And when you've emerged, you can head on over to Wall Drug for free ice water, 5-cent coffee, and all the wonders of the place. The one detour I could have done without was to Mt. Rushmore. I've heard other reactions, but to me it looked exactly like its postcards. But then, I really don't understand killing a mountain just to stick some big faces on it, so maybe I'm missing the point. We did get to see a Mountain Goat on our way down, which was nice.

sekera: When you get to Vancouver, ferry over to Victoria and visit the Buchart Gardens. They are probably the most beautiful sight if have seen in my life. It started with a couple who long ago transformed their rock quarry into a private garden. Absolutely fantastic! Enjoy.

Jimsan: In Wyoming, Jackson Hole, Teton Village, and Yellowstone are a must see. If your a rockhound, Butte and the Coeur d'Alene would be interesting. Maybe a side trip to Devil's Tower might be interesting (I haven't been there but my friends say it is truly mystic.

rjnerd: Use some more personal mode of transport, and a more interesting route. Get off the damn interstate, and actually see something. Personally, if I had the chance to do this, I would be pedaling, but something less enclosing than your basic sedan would help. In Washington be sure to check out the Stone Circle. Visit Moosewood when you stop in Ithaca. Visit the monestary in Calgary.

lonuv: After experiencing Vancouver Island, I would refuse to enter Canada via Washington without making this detour. It's beyond extraordinary. If you are going to be out that way in the summer, do yourself a favor and do not miss kayaking with the orca out of Telegraph Cove on the North end of the island. I have traveled all over the US and Europe and this is, by far, the most unbelievable experience of my life. Check it out.

kellimac: Definitely stop in Glacier National Park in Montana. It was absolutely the most beautiful place I stopped on my cross-country trip. You can hike over 10 feet of snow and ice on a 85 degree day all while surrounded by the most incredible mountains I have ever seen. I suggest an early sun-rise hike so you can also enjoy the wildlife that surrounds you...we managed to catch a few mountain goats and a pair of bald eagles and thankfully missed the bears that are plentiful in the area.

98spc_2: As of three weeks ago, I-90 all the way through Penn, around Erie, was clogged up with construction. It's no fun... I think it would be faster to swim across the great lakes than drive through Erie.

Spartica: Dear Ethan, How come you missed Rochester & Buffalo on your way to Niagara Falls? Where shall we meet for lunch on you?

Shazam420: Aug.12 I'll be leaving San Francisco for Boston. I have discovered that my journey has me passing within ~100 miles of "Devil's Tower" of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" fame, So of course I'll be visiting there. I think Moorcroft, WY. is the closest city, then head for 14 via 29(?) by then it should be obvious where to go! As well, I plan a detour to our great "Capital City" to see the plaza, maybe the Smithsonian, too. Have I missed anything that "can't be missed?"

cso1: It sounds like you are going to have fun. When you are in Canada, talk to lots of people. When I was in Canada I felt like I was at home in Texas. The people are so nice there. By the way, your next trip should start in Miami and go to L.A. or somthing. You are missing out on a lot by not going through the south! Have fun!

GolfGizmo: Grand Canyon! Las Vegas! Two of the biggest holes in the world, and both a gas to see!

krisi: In the Seattle area, go to Mt. Ranier National Park between the first week of May and last week of September. Absolutely incredibly incredible.

ChristieTurner: Ethan's road trip should extend to California, the Southwest, and the Gulf coast, but only after the heat and humidity die down a bit. :) Maybe start in the Smokies during October, then work south and west. Don't miss New Orleans, San Diego, Albuquerque, Gallup NM, Austin, and the Big Bend country (TX).

johnsmfa: Exit I-90 (Ohio Turnpike) at Sandusky and go to Port Clinton. Take the Ferry out to South Bass Island (Put-In-Bay). There is a lot to see there such as caves, Perry's Monument, winery tours, etc. But the real reason to go is for the party. There is no place like Put-In-Bay, Ohio. Boats tie up at the docks 4 deep and the bars are hopping. It's hard to describe, you just have to experience it.

MFisher: Go see Snoqualmie Falls east of Issaquah, Washington. (Those are the incredible falls from the beginning credits of Twin Peaks). They're not out of the way and are beautiful. While you're in the Issaquah area, go check out Rosslyn,WA (home and set of Northern Exposure) Other must see's for Seattle - Bruce Lee's grave and the Pioneer Square underground tour.

IGraham: Make sure you see the Grand Tetons. They are absolutely breathtaking. When in Yellowstone, don't go out of your way to see Old Faithful. It's not that exciting.

zhenefaire: It seems like you're taking a route with rather homogenous scenery. Consider swinging down into the Southwest to hit the gorgeous deserts we have here. There are literally dozens of national and state parks within an 80-mile radius of each other in Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, including the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Zion, Bryce, and Arches National Parks, and Mesa Verde. Or, if you're looking for landmarks of a stranger variety, you can check out a truly odd materpiece of masonry and religious fanaticism this man has built in his back yard in Salt Lake City. We also have the fabulously desolate Bonneville Salt Flats with the big ugly Tree of Life sculpture sitting out there. Earthworks sculptor Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty is now visible in the Great Salt Lake, which gives you a cultural reason to go out there as well as the simple-minded fun of seeing how well you float in the lake. Since you are definitely going to Seattle, check out the Troll under the Aurora Bridge. It's holding an actual VW bug in its massive concrete hand. If you do detour to Salt Lake, though, I'll let you use my T1 line...

Briana_: Definitely stop at the Mall of America in the twin cities, St Paul/Minneapolis. Also, there's an unbeatable science museum there in the twin cities area as well. In Sioux Falls you could stop and see the Gateway 2000 headquarters too. Annnnnddd...next time you road trip you should definitely swing down to Virginia Beach area. It's absolutely beautfiul and cultural!

absherl: Ethan, you should detour to the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada because how often in one's life does one get to see a life-size painting of Liberace's mother, complete with mink coat?

Mauren: Why is the trip so far north? I realize that it is probably quite beautiful up there, but here in the middle of the country, the exact middle, it is also beautiful,check out the Ozarks.

atymczuk: When you are in Missoula, MT, take a short trip north to Paradise, MT. GREAT small town!

kyla: You should detour to Banff and Lake Jasper from Vancouver/Calgary - some of the most breathtaking scenery I have ever seen. Also, if you can go all the way to Seattle, there are many things to see/do. I think Mt. St. Helens is more spectacular than the Grand Canyon. Also, the Underground tour in Seattle brings you beneath the city for a look at how the first generations of Seattlites used to live - not a glitzy, Atlanta-type Underground but very informative and pretty fun. There is a spot north of Vancouver, I think Sawach or something like that, that used to be a gold rush town. You can either take the ferry or train up and same options back - the train ride is on an old steam train - really nice Take the ferry over to Vancouver Island - simply breathtaking scenery north of Victoria - the road to the Pacific Rim - I think Long BEach - a provincial park - is full of "Kodak" moments - The park itself has a terrific gourmet restaurant with an awesome view of the Pacific near the northwest tip of the island is a waterfall which dumps into the pacific - probably the most beautiful spot on earth And of course, in northern Michigan is Mackinack Island - where Superman's "Fortress of Solitude" was filmed - a great spot -- no motorized vehicles allowed but you can ride horses and rent tandem bicycles! A neat place!

Have a great trip

Applecheeks: Sure wish we could do lunch, Ethan, but I'm a little too busy this summer! When you're in Toledo (the city where I grew up), go to the Toledo Museum of Art...in my opinion one of the best in the country...be sure to check out the antique dolls and the extensive Egyptian collection. Then when you get to Spokane, WA, look up my Aunt Lucille Shaw and take her to lunch in my place!! Tell her that her brother Jack's daughter Jane sent you.

Theodore: Well, the Dells and Baraboo are nice to see, there is also LOTS of little places along the way if you keep your eyes open, stay off of the Interstate, and check the local guides. For instance there is a wierd little shrine in Dickeyville WI. also there is an old lead mine somewhere around there. I took the ferry accross lake Michigan. It was hard to get any information about it, but was fun when I found it. At one point, the ship was covered with St. Elmo's fire and the hair on my body stood straight out.

cjball: A must stop is La Crosse, Wisconsin. This little town along the Mississippi river has one of the highest concentrations of bars in practically any 4 square block area in the United States. A particular favorite is the Casino Club (or someithing similar) on Pearl Street. This little dive has a real fifties look. The seats are mostly round booths on tiers that face the main bar. It also boasts one of the largest lists of import and microbrew beers in the Midwest.

fairless: Ethan will want to drive through west Yellowstone just at day break. He should see herds of Elk on the hill sides and Moose in the streams that time of the morning. The good part is that there are no people. Yellowstone park is another story.

Love_Burn: Ethan should go to N.Y.C. and stop off in the Village because that is one of the coolest places in N.Y.C. U can stop in the West Village on a Saturday and check out the Drag Queens strutting their stuff and head towards the West for underground music, little jewelry shops, and the biggest diversity of people from: 60's left-backs, punks, lots of piercings, straights, gays, lesbians, different ethnic backrounds, something no one should miss!!!

injun1: Take a more direct route instead of so many different routes on your trip. Take a direct route to Washington and down to Los Angeles across to Saint Louis Missouri and up to New York.

MDARNTON: Way to go Ethan! While you are in Flint, MI, you must check out Angelo's on Davison Road. Also on Davison Road, (a couple of blocks down from Angelo's) check out Luigi's. The best pizza on earth!!!

A bit of advice: before you go through the U.P of Michigan, fill up your tank. Sometimes gas stations are few and far between. It's beautiful, but a bit isolated.

George:Whoa, whoa, whoa. How could you even consider going to Cooperstown and Ithaca without stopping in Binghamton NY, the "Carousel Capital of the World"? As it's at the beginning of your trip, you shouldn't be too saddle sore to ride all six carousels and stop at the Carousel Museum at the Ross Park Zoo (which is one of the oldest zoos in North America by the way). As a bonus, they're all free. Plus, ride all six and get a special button. Besides, it's on the best route between Cooperstown and Ithaca. Just head South from Cooperstown to I88 West to Binghamton, Ithaca is only 1 hour away (I know, I commute 2-3 times a week between the two).

In addition, I hope you've left plenty of time in your itinerary to visit the wineries in the Finger Lakes region? My favorites are on Seneca Lake: Four Chimneys, all organic. Hazletts, try the Red Cat, Chateau Lafeyette Reneau, all excellent. So where do we meet for lunch? Riding the carousels or meetin in Ithaca?

jwyckoff: While in Washington, visit Paradise in Mt. Rainier Natl. Park. Follow the marked trail to the ice caves, about a mile from the Visitors' Center.

Pirkl: First, what's wrong with the South for part of your trip? You should try the Crawfish Kitchen in Breau Bridge, LA, for real good Cajun Cuisine. It's just off I-10 just east of Lafayette, LA. Maybe you can make it next trip?

Elaine: A trip without northern Arkansas? You'll be missing the Ozarks, Blanchard Springs, Mountain View, the Buffalo River and the nicest people to be found anywhere. Plan a Southern trip in the fall, I'll treat YOU to lunch! On your Northern trip, there is a great little town west of Madison, Wis., called Mt. Horeb--you'll think you've stepped back in time, and if your toting a bicycle, the old railroad tracks have been made into wonderful bicycle trails. Have fun, and stay off those interstates as much as possible.

nanderson: Ethan, since you are so close to Glacier Park, Montana, you must stop there and drive the Going To The Sun Road through Glacier. My relatives live in Choteau, MT and would be glad to put you up for the night. If the beauty of Glacier gets you, then you should drive further north to Waterton (the Canadian side of Glacier). You will enjoy walking through the streets of Waterton along side of deer and big horn sheep. The well known Prince of Whales Hotel overlooks the town. Try Glacier and Waterton, I know you will enjoy.